Going For The Gold: Creedence Clearwater Revival

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Load ‘em up! [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Creedence Clearwater Revival[/lastfm] released a baker’s dozen singles between 1968 and 1972, with a Beatles-like string of nine 45s that reached Number 8 or better on the chart. Let’s dig into which of them went gold.

In all, 10 of their 13 singles during the late ’60s and early ’70s scored gold, starting with “Suzie Q,” their [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Dale Hawkins[/lastfm] cover that arrived on the debut Creedence Clearwater Revival album. It’s didn’t quite crack the Top 10 but it set the wheels in motion for CCR to become one of the best-selling acts of the decade.

“Proud Mary” was their first single release in 1969, their fourth of all their 45s to reach the chart and their first to break into the Top 5, finishing at Number 2.

While “Proud Mary” was the only record to make gold out of the Bayou Country album, Green River spawned two gold singles: “Bad Moon Rising” and the title cut. The former was released in April ’69 and spent twelve weeks on the chart, also peaking at Number 2.

After a month off for good behavior, CCR dropped the latter, “Green River,” in October 1969 when it became their third straight single to peak at Number 2.

1969 saw one more gold record, the classic “Down on the Corner,” the lone single from Willy and the Poor Boys to find chart action.

With the arrival of 1970 came their album, Cosmo’s Factory,” the one that yielded more gold records than any other. In January, it was “Travelin’ Band,” which hit Number 2. The Number 4 charter, “Up Around the Bend” followed in April and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door, another Number 2 record, wrapped up their year of abundance in July.

CCR would score two more gold records in 1971, wrapping a total of ten in their career. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and “Sweet Hitch-Hiker,” the first from Pendulum, the second from Mardi Gras, would complete their miraculous run at the charts.

Want to know more about some golden oldies (and not-so-oldies)? Read more about them here…